Gammanpilla says SLFP ban will make Kandy rally a success

Thursday, 5 March 2015 00:45 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Claims no one can stop Mahinda Rajapaksa tornado By JayashikaPadmasiri Reacting to the decision takenby the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Central Committee to bar its members from taking part in public rallies organised by other political parties, United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) member Udaya Gammanpila yesterday said that this would only contribute to making the tomorrow’s Kandy rally promoting Mahinda Rajapaksa asuccess.

“They are trying to stop the Mahinda Rajapaksa tornado which is being created in the country right now. However we believe that just as AzathSalley’s statement contributed to the success of the Nugegoda rally, MP AnuraYapa’s statement will help to contribute to the success of the Kandy rally. Nevertheless, we have to state that 2015 is a dangerous year and we are wondering whether the SLFP leaders are developing bad habits,” Gammanpila questioned. Gammanpila said that investigations launched by the CID to personally attack Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda would only betray the soldiers of this country. “We would like to warn this Government not to betray the soldiers and lose their Government. Even the CTB is in crisis today due to the good governance program of this Government because the officials they have appointed as CTB authorities are unqualified. Therefore this ‘good governance’ program of the Government has turned into a real terror,” he said. Expressing his views regarding Rakna Lanka and Avant Garde Security firms, Gammanpila said the present regime was engaged in proving people guilty through the media and media exhibitions instead of operating via legal avenues. Reacting to the statement made by Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe regarding Maldives, Gammanpila added that if Indian Prime Minister NarendraModitoo felt similar sentiments regarding Sri Lanka, then it would create a very dangerous situation. “All we have to tell the PM is that our country has enough international problems already andtherefore not to create any more international problems for us. Maldives has always been an unconditional friend to Sri Lanka and we respect their sovereignty,” Gammanpila added. Pic by Lasantha Kumara

UPFA says UNP rejected their offer of friendship

The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) yesterday said that by replacing its Uva Chief Minister with a United National Party (UNP) Chief Minister, the latter had rejected the offer of friendship extended. UPFA General Secretary and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) National Organiser Susil Premajayantha made this remark yesterday at a press conference held in Colombo. “The acceptance of four affidavits declaring support to the UNP by UPFA members was wrong and against the provisions of the Constitution. The UPFA, which is the largest political party in Parliament, supported the UNP to form a government and to complete the 100 day program. We are also hearing of secret attempts to change the Chief Minister in the Central Province. Such acts will only disrupt the smooth functioning of Provincial Councils while affecting vital services like education and public administration,” Premajayantha said. Commenting further, he elaborated that the UPFA wanted the Government to pass legislation to trim powers of the executive presidency and to introduce electoral reforms at the same time and that for this they were willing to give the Government more than 100 days. “The powers to dissolve a Provincial Council must remain with the Executive and he or she must be the supreme commander of the armed forces,” Premajayantha added.